Kyle Chen

Before going into boxing, Chen played rugby for his high school, but he decided to give boxing a go.{{cite web|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3p_BeB8HrIzUzVFUTlnTHFsSTA/|title=Ex-Wairoa boxer seeks help for world champs|publisher=The Wairoa Star|access-date=13 April 2017}} He began his amateur boxing career in 2013, where he defeated Bocky Blackburn by TKO. Chen showed a lot of potential and decided to put all his focus onto amateur boxing. Later in 2013, Chen won a rematch against Blackburn, winning by Unanimous Decision and the Central North Island Boxing Championships.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QwQRlo0co0|title=Kyle Chen 53kg (RED) vs Witi Blackburn 54kg (BLUE) – Complete Fight|publisher=Youtube|access-date=17 April 2017}} Chen won his first amateur title at the 2014 Golden Gloves where he competed as a novice, even though he had only competed in 5 bout so far in his career. He defeated 30 bout experience Xavier Hirini winning by spit decision. Chen went on to win multiple district titles including the Auckland Championship, Supercity Championship{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northland-age/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503400&objectid=11287040|title=Three out of three for Kerikeri fighters|publisher=The Northland Age|access-date=15 April 2017|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald }} and more. At the Supercity Championship, 13 year old Chen competed against Caleb Glew, who is two years old then chen. Chen won the bout by unanimous decision.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vabz95FgHZg|title=Amateur Boxing: Kyle Chen vs Caleb Glew (June 2014, Super City)|publisher=Youtube|access-date=17 April 2017}} Chen went on to win the Central North Island Boxing Championships second year in a row, winning against Cole Downard by Unanimous Decision.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFzvRGRxRd4|title=Kyle Chen Vs Cole Downard, CNI Champs 2014|publisher=Youtube|access-date=17 April 2017}}

In 2014, Chen moved into the Junior division and went on to win the New Zealand Nationals. At the nationals Chen has victories over Ethan Bray{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTST2fsmpb0|title=Kyle Chen vs Ethan Bray, NZ Boxing Nationals 2014|publisher=Youtube |access-date=17 April 2017}} and Maxwell Reti-Huch.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-8uABWUZKQ|title=Kyle Chen vs Maxwell Reti-Huch NZ Nationals|publisher=Youtube |access-date=17 April 2017}} After winning the New Zealand Nationals, Chen went on to compete at the Junior World Boxing Championship in Russia, reaching top 16.{{cite web|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/boxing/boxing-transtasman-amateurs-action|title=Boxing: Transtasman amateurs in action|publisher=Otago Daily Times |date= 8 August 2015|access-date=13 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/sport/71851458/two-kiwi-boxers-into-final16-round-at-worlds|title=Two Kiwi boxers into final-16 round at worlds|publisher=Taranaki Daily News |access-date=13 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/northland/70600389/kerikeri-boxer-goes-to-russia-world-champs|title=Kerikeri boxer goes to Russia world champs|publisher=Stuff |access-date=13 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1506/S00520/to-russia-with-gloves-young-northland-boxer-steps-up.htm|title=To Russia with Gloves – Young Northland Boxer Steps Up|publisher=Scoop |access-date=13 April 2017}} His father Murray Potts helped raise money for him to compete in Russia with the "Give a Little" website.{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northland-age/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503400&objectid=11491658|title=Kyle Chen rocketing to Russia|publisher=The Northland Age |access-date=15 April 2017|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald }} Chen came back to New Zealand to win his second straight national title.{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/72736796/plenty-of-talent-on-show-at-2015-national-boxing-champs|title=Plenty of talent on show at 2015 national boxing champs|publisher=The Southland Times |access-date=13 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/72803157/first-up-losses-for-southland-boxers|title=First up losses for Southland boxers|publisher=The Southland Times |access-date=13 April 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northland-age/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503400&objectid=11532013|title=Chen claims second NZ title|publisher=The Northland Age|access-date=15 April 2017|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald }} With his dual citizenship, Chen was able to qualify for the 2015 Taiwan National championships and finish with gold.

In 2016, Chen received a scholarship to help progress his amateur boxing career.{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503450&objectid=11625103|title=Keen boxers win $2000 scholarship|publisher=New Zealand Herald |date= 19 April 2016|access-date=13 April 2017|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |last1=Graaf|first1=Peter de}} In mid 2016, Chen had a rematch which Southland's Jesse Hawken. The two last fought at the 2015 Nationals.{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/80820324/Jesse-Hawken-impresses-at-Southland-Boxing-Championships|title=Jesse Hawken impresses at Southland Boxing Championships|publisher=The Southland Times |access-date=13 April 2017}} A few months later, Chen traveled to Australia to be part of Golden Gloves Australia. Chen won all his bouts, defeating Rory Booth by unanimous decision, winning all the rounds.{{cite web|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3p_BeB8HrIzTnZoRjA1LVAxanc/|title=Golden Gloves Wins|publisher=The Wairoa Star |access-date=13 April 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northland-age/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503400&objectid=11703111|title=Boxing: Focus and form pays off again for Kyle Chen|publisher=The Northland Age|access-date=13 April 2017|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald }} Chen went on to win his third straight New Zealand National title in a row in Rotorua.{{cite web|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzwjvwXMDx4MRHU0STB6Qks1a2toZmlLUDRDMmhUWU9lM0dn/view|title=New Zealand Nationals 2016 Session 6 Results|publisher=AIBA|access-date=13 April 2017}} For the first time in his career, Chen skipped going to New Zealand Golden Gloves due to lack of opponents and instead went to Taiwan, to get his second win in Taiwan Nationals in a row.{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northland-age/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503402&objectid=11744380|title=Boxing: Fighter returns home with title|publisher=The Northland Age|access-date=13 April 2017|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald }}

In 2017, Chen officially moved from junior to the youth division. He attended an AIBA sponsored training camp that lasted over a week, to help prepare him for the 2018 Youth Olympics.{{cite web|url=https://newzealandfighter.co.nz/home/2017/4/15/top-junior-amateur-kiwi-moving-up-into-youth-division|title=Top junior amateur Kiwi moving up into youth division|publisher=NZ Fighter|access-date=15 April 2017}} Chen began his 2017 with a great start, despite being knocked down in the first round Chen won his first bout by Unanimous Decision.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RVabDc--50|title=Kyle Vs Viliami|publisher=Youtube|access-date=20 April 2017}} In his second bout of the year, Chen defeated an amateur boxer from Tonga by Unanimous decision at ABA Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDhp7SFtV9c|title='Golden Gloves Champ' Kyle Chen vs Tomasi Lalakai – ABA Stadium – 9 April 2017|publisher=Glad Rap Channel|access-date=20 April 2017}} In May 2017, it was announced that Chen will be taking part in the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games.{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northland-age/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503402&objectid=11848700|title=Boxing: Chen ready for challenging year|publisher=The Northland Age|access-date=4 May 2017|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald }} Later in May, Chen traveled to Perth to take on Michael Martino. This raised a few eyebrows due to Chen still being 16 and Martino being 21. Chen won the bout by Points Decision.{{cite web|url=https://newzealandfighter.co.nz/home/kyle-chen-wins-in-perth|title=Kyle Chen wins in Perth|publisher=NZ Fighter|access-date=21 May 2017}} In early June 2017, Chen took part in the New Zealand North Island Golden Gloves Championship, going up against Junior World Championship bronze medalist Laszlo Szilard.{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503448&objectid=11866176|title=Boxing: Kyle Chen on road to Youth Commonwealth Games|publisher=The Northern Advocate |date= 31 May 2017|access-date=31 May 2017|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |last1=Johnsen|first1=Andrew Johnsen}} Chen won the bout against Szilard by Unanimous Decision, taking Gold.{{cite web|url=https://newzealandfighter.co.nz/home/kyle-chen-wins-against-world-championship-medalist|title=Kyle Chen wins against World Championship Medalist|publisher=New Zealand Fighter|access-date=5 June 2017}} In late June 2017, Chen took on amateur rival, the 2017 South Island Youth 75 kg Golden Gloves champion, Jesse Hawken at Regan Foley's tournament in Auckland, New Zealand. The two have fought twice so far in their career, once in 2015 and again in 2016, with Chen winning both bouts.{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/93408946/southland-boxer-jesse-hawken-topples-australian-fighter-to-win-south-island-golden-gloves-title|title=Southland boxer Jesse Hawken topples Australian fighter to win South Island Golden Gloves title|publisher=The Southern Times|access-date=25 June 2017}} Chen won the bout in Auckland by Unanimous Decision, with this being his last bout before heading to commonwealth youth games.{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503448&objectid=11891587|title=Northlanders set for Youth Commonwealth Games|publisher=The Northern Advocate |date= 17 July 2017|access-date=21 July 2017|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald }} Chen won his bout in the Commonwealth Youth Games against Australian Cullum James Adams. Chen was reported to fight while having a flu like infection, making the bout challenging and very close.{{cite web|url=https://newzealandfighter.co.nz/home/commonwealth-youth-games-begin|title=Commonwealth Youth Games begin|publisher=NZ Fighter|access-date=21 July 2017}} Chen won his second bout against Welsh Jay Daniel Munn by a landslide.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-newspapers/central-north-island/sport/sport-region-6459/94997769/New-Zealand-second-in-medal-count-early-in-Youth-Commonwealth-Games|title=New Zealand second in medal count early in Youth Commonwealth Games|publisher=Stuff |access-date=21 July 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://newzealandfighter.co.nz/home/day-two-bahamas-commonwealth-youth-games|title=Day Two Bahamas Commonwealth Youth Games|publisher=NZ Fighter|access-date=21 July 2017}} After a day of rest, Chen took on England boxer Aaron Patrick Bowen in his 50th amateur bout of his boxing career and in the semifinals of the tournament.{{cite web|url=https://newzealandfighter.co.nz/home/another-guaranteed-medal-for-kiwi|title=Another Guaranteed medal for Kiwi|publisher=NZ Fighter|access-date=23 July 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://newzealandfighter.co.nz/home/kiwi-goes-to-the-finals-at-commonwealth-youth-games-on-day-4|title=Kiwi goes to the finals at Commonwealth Youth Games on Day 4|publisher=NZ Fighter|access-date=23 July 2017}} Chen lost the bout by 4 - 1 Pts but still winning the bronze medal.{{cite web|url=https://newzealandfighter.co.nz/home/kyle-chen-wins-bronze-medal-at-commonwealth-youth-games|title=Kyle Chen Wins Bronze Medal at Commonwealth Youth Games|publisher=NZ Fighter|access-date=23 July 2017}}

Men's (Junior Division) Welter (66 kg){{cite web|url=http://aiba.s3.amazonaws.com/2015/02/Boxing2015-AIBA-Junior-World-Boxing-Championships-66KG-Final-Sheet.pdf |title= AIBA Junior World 66 KGS |publisher=AIBA |access-date=21 July 2017}}

1. Round of 32 (1st Match): Kyle Chen, New Zealand (TKO 2nd Rnd 1:36) def Marius Denis Floraea, Romania
2. Round of 16 (2nd Match): Kyle Chen, New Zealand (1) Lost Aibek Akylbek Uulu, Kyrgyzstan (2)

Men's (Youth Division) Middle (75 kg){{cite web|url=https://results.bahamas2017cyg.com/static/eng/zb/engzb_boxing-athlete-profile-n61016-chen-ting.htm |title= Kyle Chen Results |publisher=Commonwealth Games |access-date=21 July 2017}}

1. Round of Preliminary (1st Match): Kyle Chen, New Zealand (2) def Callum James Adams, Australia (1)
2. Round of Quarterfinals (2nd Match):Kyle Chen, New Zealand (5) def Jay Daniel Munn, Wales (0)
3. Round of Semifinals (3rd Match):Kyle Chen, New Zealand (1) lost Aaron Patrick Bowen, England (4)

• Gold 2014 Auckland Light welterweight Championship (Cadet Male){{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503448&objectid=11339128|title=Boxing: Smart boxing sees Kaeo pair make team|publisher=The Northland Advocate |date= 7 October 2014|access-date=15 April 2017|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald }}
• Gold 2014 New Zealand Golden Gloves Welterweight Championship (Cadet Male){{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503448&objectid=11319792|title=Kaeo fighters show they have golden gloves on fists|publisher=The Northland Advocate |date= 5 September 2014|access-date=15 April 2017|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald }}
• Gold 2014 AIBA New Zealand National Amateur Light welterweight Championship (Cadet Male){{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northland-age/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503400&objectid=11343424|title=Mission accomplished for Kyle Chen|publisher=The Northland Age |access-date=13 April 2017|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald }}{{cite web|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3p_BeB8HrIzSU1uV0EyNXVvTm8/|title=New Zealand National Medalist 2014 – 2016|publisher=AIBA |access-date=13 April 2017}}
• Top 16 2015 AIBA Junior world Welterweight Championship{{cite web|url=http://aiba.s3.amazonaws.com/2015/02/Boxing2015-AIBA-Junior-World-Boxing-Championships-Athlete-Profiles.pdf|title=Boxers Profiles|publisher=AIBA |access-date=13 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://aiba.s3.amazonaws.com/2015/02/Boxing2015-AIBA-Junior-World-Boxing-Championships-66KG-Final-Sheet.pdf|title=66 KG Tournament results|publisher=AIBA |access-date=13 April 2017}}
• Gold 2015 New Zealand Golden Gloves Light middleweight Championship (Junior Male)
• Gold 2015 Taiwan National Amateur Light middleweight Championship (Junior Male){{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljkeriEimuQ|title=Kyle Chen's Final at the Taiwan National Boxing Championships 2015|publisher=Youtube|access-date=13 April 2017}}
• Gold 2015 AIBA New Zealand National Amateur Light middleweight Championship (Junior Male){{cite web|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzwjvwXMDx4MWmtpRjh3ZUgwTVk/|title=New Zealand Nationals 2015 Session 2 results|publisher=AIBA |access-date=13 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzwjvwXMDx4MWUNMOXM4OGlxUkU/|title=2015 Session 6 results|publisher=AIBA |access-date=13 April 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503448&objectid=11528834|title=Boxing: Teen lands right shots for victory in nationals|publisher=The Northern Advocate |date= 13 October 2015|access-date=15 April 2017|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald }}
• Gold 2016 AIBA New Zealand National Amateur Middleweight Championship (Junior Male){{cite web|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3p_BeB8HrIzVmhsX3lvWlZBa3M/|title=New Zealand Nationals 2016|publisher=AIBA |access-date=13 April 2017}}
• Gold 2016 Australia Golden Gloves Middleweight Championship (Junior Male){{cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/the-bay-chronicle/20161110/281655369645022|title=Northland Sports Stars Acknowledged|publisher=The Bay Chronicles |access-date=13 April 2017}}
• Gold 2016 Taiwan National Amateur Middleweight Championship (Youth Male){{cite web|url=https://kkhssport.wordpress.com/2016/10/31/kerikeri-high-school-student-excels-at-boxing-over-labour-weekend-break/|title=Kerikeri High School student excels at boxing over Labour weekend break|publisher=Keri Keri Highschool |date= 30 October 2016|access-date=13 April 2017}}
• Gold 2017 New Zealand Golden Gloves Middleweight Championship (Youth Male)
• Bronze 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games Middleweight Medal{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503448&objectid=11894125|title=Northlanders among medals at Youth Commonwealth Games|publisher=Northern Advocate |date= 23 July 2017|access-date=24 July 2017|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald }}

• 2014 Far North District Council Sports Award in boxing
• 2015 Far North District Council Sports Award in boxing
• 2016 Far North District Council Sports Award in boxing
• 2016 ASB Sporting Excellence Award{{cite web|url=http://www.sportnorthland.co.nz/newsarticle/41069|title=ASB Awards Honour Future Stars|publisher=Sport Northland |access-date=13 April 2017}}
• 2017 ASB Northland Region Secondary Schools Sportsman of the year{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503446&objectid=11938476|title=Smith, Chen take top honours at Secondary School Awards|publisher=Northern Advocate |date=30 October 2017 |access-date=5 November 2017|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald }}
• 2017 ASB Northland Region Sports Award in Boxing

Chen was born in Taiwan but moved to New Zealand when he turned 3 years old. Chen attended Kerikeri High School.{{cite web|url=https://kkhssport.wordpress.com/2015/06/29/new-zealand-boxing-representative/|title=New Zealand Boxing Representative|publisher=Kerikeri Highschool |date= 29 June 2015|access-date=13 April 2017}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [https://www.facebook.com/KyleChenBoxing/ Official Facebook Page]
• [http://www.nzoc.co.nz/athletes/kyle-chen/ New Zealand Olympic Committee Athletes Profile]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chen, Kyle}}

Category:2000 births

Category:Living people

Category:New Zealand male boxers

Category:Taiwanese male boxers

Category:Boxers from Northland

Category:21st-century New Zealand sportsmen